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Milk Snake: Harmless Yet Colored For Danger

The pueblan milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli), while harmless to humans, will feed on prey such as mice, rats, birds, lizards, frogs and other snakes. Joe McDonald/Getty Images

A lot of animals are named after things they sometimes eat — anteaters eat ants, dung beetles feed on you-know-what. Then we have the milk snake, a vibrant type of North American serpent with no interest whatsoever in dairy products, despite its common name.

The Milk Snake Diet

"Like many snakes, milk snakes are generalist predators that eat just about anything they can catch and swallow," herpetologist Trevor Persons tells us in an email. "In general, younger, smaller milk snakes consume smaller prey such as lizards, while older, larger snakes primarily eat small mammals such as mice or voles."

Rodents like to take refuge in barns, capitalizing on the warmth and food they may provide. And where the furry critters go, their opportunistic eaters follow.

According to Persons, the name "milk snake" (sometimes written out as one word) "originated from the mistaken belief that since these snakes were frequently found in wood piles in or around dairy barns, they were stealing milk from farmers by suckling on dairy cows."

The absurdity of that image was not lost on Karl P. Schmidt, a former curator of herpetology at the Chicago Field Museum. As he pointed out way back in 1922, milk snakes have six rows of needle-like teeth — two on the lower jaw, four on the upper one.

Jabbing these into "a cow's sensitive teat" (Schmidt's words, not ours) probably wouldn't end too well for the snake. It might make an amusing Gary Larson comic, though.

Are Milk Snakes a Venomous Species?

Milk snakes are nonvenomous and pose no threat to humans. Unfortunately, throughout their range, they're often killed at the hands of people who mistake them for venomous species. The snakes are widely distributed, occurring from sunny Ecuador to southeastern Canada. Yet finding them can be a real challenge in certain places.

Herpetologist and ecologist Brian Smith was the lead author of a 2003 study on the milk snakes of Black Hills National Forest in Wyoming and South Dakota.

"In South Dakota anyway, they are very rarely seen," Smith explains via email. "But they have been found in a lot of different habitats. So they're a real mystery here. I've seen or heard of four of them in 23 years' experience looking for reptiles in the Black Hills area."

Throughout the Americas, milk snakes have a reputation for not being too picky about their habitats. Some hang around in prairies; others frequent rotting logs pinewood forests; a lot of them do A-okay in tropical places — or arid deserts.

The Central American coral snake (Micrurus nigrocinctus) is a highly venomous snake whose smooth scales and markings are very similar to the eastern milk snake. DEA/C.DANI/I.JESKE/Getty Images

And if you're wondering whether milk snakes make good pets, the answer is yes. They are completely nonvenomous and considered shy and easy to handle. Just make sure they have plenty of hiding places and they will be happy and easy to care for. As they often eat small mammals and insects in nature, you will want to feed them pre-killed mice.

What Colors Are Milk Snakes?

The milk snake color palette is pretty diverse.

Most of these snakes are covered in well-defined bands of red blotches, black and white (or yellow) scales. But there are plenty of exceptions. Up in the mountain forests of Panama and Costa Rica, there's a population of milk snakes that turn solidly black as adults.

With their Yankee counterparts, it's a different story. "[Milk snakes] from the northeastern U.S. And southeastern Canada are duller and dark brown-er and the 'bands' are actually blotches because they don't extend all the way to the belly," says Persons.

Difficulty Categorizing Milk Snakes

Scientists have long debated how many milk snake species — and/or subspecies — are currently at large. Persons explains that "as recently as the 1990s," researchers used to lump all the milk snakes of North, South and Central America into "a single wide-ranging species [Lampropeltis triangulum] with 25 subspecies."

Such broad consensus no longer exists. In 2014, the journal Systematic Biology ran a genetic study arguing there are actually seven distinctive species of milk snake. "However, not all taxonomists agree with that arrangement either," notes Persons.

Batesian Mimicry

Next time you're at the library, head for the biology section. Most field guides to North American reptiles compare milk snakes with unrelated New World coral snakes. The latter are not to be trifled with.

Coral snakes are elapids; they're part of the same family as cobras, mambas and sea snakes. To fight off predators — and to kill their own prey — the creatures dish out potent venom through hollow fangs.

Certain coral snakes advertise this toxicity with brightly colored scales. It's pretty much the opposite of camouflage. By wearing eye-catching shades of yellow, red, black or orange, the reptiles send a clear message to other species: "Stay away! I'm dangerous."

"Although difficult to test, it is believed that the colorful patterns of many milk snakes ... Evolved to mimic those of venomous coral snakes," says Persons. "In this form of mimicry, known as Batesian mimicry, a harmless milk snake resembles a dangerous coral snake and thus discourages potential predators who may have previously learned the hard way not to mess with a coral snake."

Physiology of Milk Snakes

Milk snakes can range in size and length from 14 to 69 inches (35.5 to 175 centimeters) long with the longest of the species found in Central and South America.

You may have heard the rhyme, "Red touch yellow, kill a fellow. Red touch black, it's friendly, Jack!" This is a reference typical color pattern" to banding patterns, but it doesn't hold consistently, especially for snakes outside of the U.S.

Eastern coral snakes — which are 4-foot (1.2-meter) serpents found in the southeastern United States — generally have a combination of alternating red, brown, black and yellow bands. In most cases, their yellow bands touch the red ones.

The scarlet kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides) has similar markings to some species of milk snake and coral snake, but with black scales separating the reds from the yellows. R. Andrew Odum/Getty Images

The nonvenomous scarlet kingsnake is a close cousin of the "milks" indigenous to the same area. It's got reddish blotches, yellow and black bands, too. But they're arranged differently, with black scales separating the reds from the yellows.

Catchy as it is, please bear in mind that the "red touch yellow" rhyme isn't foolproof.

Some dangerous coral snakes are almost entirely black, some have black bands touching red ones. On the other hand, there are a few perfectly harmless snakes out there — like the Sonoran shovel-nosed snake — with yellow-on-red scalation.

So if a colorful serpent crosses your path and you can't positively identify it, keep your hands off the animal. You'll both be better off.

Now That's Interesting

Besides lizards and rodents, milk snakes will also eat insects, reptile eggs, birds — and smaller snakes. Some of their relatives are "famous for their habit of eating other snakes, including rattlesnakes," according to Persons. Take the California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae), a popular pet capable of devouring rattlers. "Kingsnakes are able to prey on rattlesnakes because their blood serum contains venom-neutralizing properties."

Original article: Milk Snake: Harmless Yet Colored for Danger

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Snakes Of New York

New York state is home to 17 species of snakes. These animals, whose tubular, limbless bodies are instantly and universally recognized, produce mixed reactions among people, from fear to fascination. Serpents figure prominently in the mythologies of nearly all human cultures, sometimes as a symbol of evil and temptation. It is perhaps for this reason that snakes often are persecuted and killed without any understanding of their true nature.

Snakes play critical roles in the environments where they occur, primarily by the position they hold in food webs in natural communities. Many snakes are top level predators; for example, a single rat snake can consume over 100 rodents a year.

Other snakes are important in the control they exert on insect and other invertebrate populations. All snakes form part of the diet of other predators such as hawks and foxes and thereby serve to link higher and lower feeding levels.

Common Snakes of New York

The most widespread and frequently encountered snakes in New York state are the garter snake and the water snake. Garter snakes use a wide variety of habitats, from woodlands to marshes to fields and exist quite well around human habitations. These snakes, like many other species, are variable in color and pattern; the basic color is dark brown or green with three yellowish stripes down their sides and back. They may reach lengths of two feet, but are typically smaller. They are completely harmless to people.

The water snake is found in and around almost any waterbody or wetland in the state. As an adult, it is a stout animal typically dark brown to black with lighter-colored bands and splotches along its length. This is most pronounced in young individuals (adults may appear solid black). It is the only large (up to 42 inches) water snake in our range. This species is frequently called or mistaken for a cottonmouth (water moccasin); this latter species is a large venomous snake that does not occur within our state borders. This confusion is understandable as our water snake is certainly an aggressive species with a nasty disposition and it does bear a superficial resemblance to the cottonmouth.

The milk snake has given rise to more misconceptions than perhaps any other species. Its name is derived from the decidedly false belief that it will milk cows! It is, however, frequently encountered in barns in search of its rodent prey (it also eats other snakes). The milk snake is a boldly patterned serpent (brown or reddish blotches on a light grey to tan body) that vibrates its tail when annoyed. These characteristics are undoubtedly responsible for its being called "spotted adder" in some regions, an unfortunate name because it brings to mind the truly venomous snakes of Europe and Asia. The milk snake is harmless.

The largest species in New York is the black rat snake, reaching lengths of eight feet! These largely black-colored snakes are found primarily along cliffs and rocky slopes but are absent from most of the Adirondacks. It is an impressive animal that overpowers its bird and small mammal prey by constriction.

Other kinds that occur all across New York in appropriate habitat are the green, redbelly, brown, and ringneck snakes; all four of these are small, slender, and completely benign species that feed on insects, spiders, earthworms and slugs. Each is described quite well by their common names.

Venomous Snakes in New York

Distribution and IdentificationThere are only three species of venomous snakes living in the wilds of New York (many other kinds may be found in the homes of private individuals and, occasionally, escapes occur!). These are the timber rattlesnake, the massasauga (erroneously called "pygmy rattler"), and the copperhead. All three are uncommon. The timber rattlesnake (listed as "Threatened" by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation) enjoys the widest range; it is found mainly in the southeastern part of the state, except Long Island and New York City, with scattered populations as far north as Lake George and also along the Southern Tier in western New York. Its populations have been severely reduced, primarily due to bounties and commercial capture for snakeskin products and the pet trade. The massasauga (listed as "Endangered") occurs in only two locations, both large wetlands. One is located northeast of Syracuse and the other is west of Rochester. This species is the subject of a cooperative research program between researchers at SUNY-ESF and NYSDEC. The copperhead is mainly found along the lower Hudson Valley south of Kingston and scattered through the Catskills.

The timber rattler and massasauga both possess a rattle at the end of their tails. It is made of a series of hollow scales that produce a distinct buzz when the snake vibrates its tail (a new one is added each time the snake sheds its skin, which may be several times a year). Both rattlers are sort of chunky snakes but the timber rattlesnake can attain lengths of up to six feet while the massasauga barely reaches three feet. A timber rattler's head is much wider than a massasauga's and there are numerous small scales on the crown of its head; the massasauga has nine larger scales on the crown. Copperheads lack the rattle, but will vibrate their tail when annoyed. In dry leaves, this vibration can sound like a rattle; many other species, such as milk and rat snakes, will also perform this behavior. The copperhead can be told by its coppery-red head and by the distinct bands along its body which are widest at the sides and narrowest across the back.

Venomous snakes are best left alone. None of our species are particularly aggressive animals, but they will attempt to bite when handled.

Snake Species Within New York

All photos by John White (copyrighted). Used with permission from University of California CalPhotos collection

Black Rat

Black Rat Snake

Eastern Garter Snake

Eastern Hog Nose Snake

Eastern Hognose Snake

Eastern massasauga

Eastern Massasauga

Eastern Milk Snake

Eastern Worm Snake

Northern Black Racer

Northern Borwn Snake

Northern Copperhead

Northern Redbelly Snake

Northern Ringneck

Northern Water Snake

Queen Snake

Ribbon Snake

Smooth Green Snake

Timber Rattlesnake

No pictures available for:

Maritime garter snake (a subspecies of 'common garter snake')Shorthead garter snake (University of Pittsburgh photo HERE)For more information, visit the Cortland Herpetology Connection.

Identifying Red And Black Snake Species

In North America and other parts of the world, you may encounter a red and black snake along your hike and wonder if you're dealing with a venomous snake species or something like a harmless milk snake.

It's a valid point to ponder; many species have evolved similar color patterns in order to denote their status as venomous or nonvenomous snakes. Here, we'll go over some red and black snake species and give you an idea of how cautious you should be around them.

3 Red and Black Snakes

Here are some of the most commonly encountered snakes of the red-and-black variety.

1. Black Swamp Snake

Black swamp snake. Veeresh J Shankinmath / Shutterstock

Rather than featuring multicolored bands along its body, the black swamp snake is completely black along the top of its body, with red-orange colored scales on its underbelly.

This species is usually found in Florida and grows up to about 15 inches (38 cm), coiling up to about the size of a human hand. These snakes are nonvenomous and completely harmless to humans.

2. Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus)

Ring-necked snake. Brad Wilson, DVM / Getty Images

The ring-necked snake bears a resemblance to the black swamp snake, with a dark grey back and brightly colored red or yellow underbelly — but it also has a colored ring around its neck, which is clearly where its name comes from.

Ring-necked snakes prowl the forest floors all along the east coast and into the midwest, feeding on worms and other small critters. A toxin its saliva paralyzes prey, but bites afflicted on humans are rare and would likely be about as painful as a bee sting.

3. Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus)

Red-bellied black snake. Ken Griffiths / Shutterstock

Red bellied black snakes look very similar to both the black swamp snake and the ring-necked snake. This species, however, is only found in wetlands on the east coast of Australia.

These Australian snakes carry a mild venom which they use to subdue small prey. They generally avoid conflict with humans but may bite when accidentally disturbed. Over time, the venom can cause symptoms like wound swelling, nausea, vomiting, headache and abdominal pain.

3 Red, Black and Yellow Snakes 1. Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius)

Eastern coral snake. Vaclav Sebek / Shutterstock

Aside from pit viper species, the eastern coral snake is one of the most dangerous venomous snakes in North America, with habitats that occupy the sandy soil in grasslands and swamps of the southeastern regions of the United States.

Like many other American species, the coral snake features yellow, red and black bands across its body

However, unlike most other species, the yellow and black bands touch each other, thus harkening back to the classic rhyme, "Black touches yellow, kill a fellow." Coral snakes are related to cobras and pack a potentially deadly neurotoxin in their fangs, so you should never attempt to handle or disturb one in its habitat.

2. Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum)

Milk snake. Paul Starosta / Getty Images

Milk snake varieties can be found all over North America. They like to hide away in cramped spaces like mammal burrows or barns, which is how the snake got its name.

Some subspecies of milk snake are dull grey or brown in color, but others feature multicolored bands like coral snakes. If you look closely, you'll see that the red bands touch the black bands.

No matter which subspecies you spot, the milk snake is one of the most harmless snakes you might encounter in the wild, and they are often kept as pets. They only eat small prey like mice, and their bites are generally too weak to even pierce human skin.

3. Scarlet King Snake (Lampropeltis elapsoides)

Scarlet king snake. Radiant Reptilia / Shutterstock

The scarlet king snake is a medium-sized snake that bears an uncanny resemblance to banded varieties of milk snake, with red and black bands touching. However, they are now considered separate species.

The scarlet king snake can be found under logs and bark in the pine forests of the east coast, using its constrictor muscles to catch other snakes, lizards and rodents. Bites to humans are rare and typically harmless.

Identifying Snakes With Rhyming

When it comes to identifying snakes out in the wild, you may have heard this popular but morose rhyme: "Red touches yellow, kill a fellow. Red touches black, you're ok, Jack." This rhyme refers to the black bands, red bands and yellow bands that can be found along the bodies of many snake species in North America.

If the yellow bands are adjacent to the red bands, you're likely looking at a venomous coral snake, and should give it some distance, but if red touches black, then it could be one of several nonvenomous species.

It's also worth noting that desert venomous snakes like the pit viper and rattlesnake tend to feature brown bodies rather than the multicolored banding of wetland and forest varieties.

Lastly, you may have noticed that this rhyme mentioned "red touches yellow" and the one earlier in the article mentioned "black touches yellow." It turns out these rhymes are far from foolproof when it comes to snake identification. You're best off leaving the snake alone, regardless of its coloration.

What to Do After a Venomous Snake Encounter

If you are bitten by a venomous snake, contact the nearest medical professionals. Hospitals frequently stock vials of antivenom for local snake species. Administering antivenom as quickly as possible will help stop the spread of toxins and leave you with much milder symptoms. It could potentially even save your life.

While you're waiting for the professionals to arrive, wash the wound with clean water — and soap, if available — and apply a clean bandage. Take off any tight jewelry that could increase blood pressure and sit or lay down in a cool area. This will help slow the spread of venom throughout the body.

Original article: Identifying Red and Black Snake Species

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